More support for the LPO four

More support for the LPO four

Thursday 22 September 2011 16.00 EDT
First published on Thursday 22 September 2011 16.00 EDT

The plight of the four musicians summarily suspended from employment with the London Philharmonic Orchestra (Letters, 19 September) continues. LPO chief executive Tim Walker and chairman Martin Hohmann announced this move as a response to the musicians' signing a letter asking the BBC to rescind a Proms invitation to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra on account of that orchestra's role as an "ambassador" for the Israeli state. To identify themselves, the musicians said they were members of the LPO. They did not claim to speak for the orchestra; nor could anyone reasonably thus have read their signatures, four out of many, in which other affiliations were similarly stated. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Chilingirian Quartet, for instance, have not seen themselves similarly implicated.

The LPO's action raises serious issues of freedom of speech. Yet the management went further still, stating: "For the LPO, music and politics do not mix." The most cursory glance at musical history and, indeed, contemporary musical practice would demonstrate otherwise. As Daniel Barenboim's work with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra has shown, the contribution of many musicians to create a performance that is greater than the sum of its parts could hardly constitute a more political act. We also note the LPO was happy earlier this year to make a film, introduced by Mr Hohmann, voicing solidarity with Dutch arts organisations facing hardship and extinction from swingeing government cuts: what is that if not mixing music and politics? Whatever our respective views on cultural boycotts, citizens of a democracy should be free to identify themselves with a cause without fear of discipline or silencing. We call on the LPO to reconsider its decision and reinstate these musicians.Dr Rachel Beckles WillsonRoyal Holloway, University of LondonThéo Bélaud Music critic, Le Petit ConcertorialisteDr Mark Berry RoyalHolloway, University of LondonDr Julie Brown Royal Holloway, University of LondonDr Gavin DixonDr Michael DownesDirector of Music, University of St AndrewsJohn FallasDr Lucy Grig University of EdinburghDr JPE Harper-Scott Royal Holloway, University of LondonProfessor Michael Harris University of Paris VIIDr James HelgesonMaxim Kosinov ViolinistProfessor Erik Levi Royal Holloway, University of LondonJonathan Manson CellistBarry Millington Editor, The Wagner JournalDr Anna Morcom Royal Holloway, University of LondonDr Cornelia van der Poll St Benet's Hall, University of OxfordGavin PlumleyProfessor Julian Rushton University of LeedsProfessor Jim Samson Royal Holloway, University of LondonRoderick SwanstonMusic historianDr Jeremy Thurlow Robinson College, University of CambridgeDr Ross Wilson University of East Anglia